19,479 research outputs found
Capturing the distinction between task and device errors in a formal model of user behaviour
In any complex interactive human-computer system, people are likely to make errors during its operation. In this paper, we describe a validation study of an existing generic model of user behaviour. The study is based on the data and conclusions from an independent prior experiment. We show that the current model does successfully capture the key concepts investigated in the experiment, particularly relating to results to do with the distinction between task and device-specific errors. However, we also highlight some apparent weaknesses in the current model with respect to initialisation errors, based on comparison with previously unpublished (and more detailed) data from the experiment. The differences between data and observed model behaviour suggest the need for new empirical research to determine what additional factors are at work. We also discuss the potential use of formal models of user behaviour in both informing, and generating further hypotheses about the causes of human error
CBR and MBR techniques: review for an application in the emergencies domain
The purpose of this document is to provide an in-depth analysis of current reasoning engine practice and the integration strategies of Case Based Reasoning and Model Based Reasoning that will be used in the design and development of the RIMSAT system.
RIMSAT (Remote Intelligent Management Support and Training) is a European Commission funded project designed to:
a.. Provide an innovative, 'intelligent', knowledge based solution aimed at improving the quality of critical decisions
b.. Enhance the competencies and responsiveness of individuals and organisations involved in highly complex, safety critical incidents - irrespective of their location.
In other words, RIMSAT aims to design and implement a decision support system that using Case Base Reasoning as well as Model Base Reasoning technology is applied in the management of emergency situations.
This document is part of a deliverable for RIMSAT project, and although it has been done in close contact with the requirements of the project, it provides an overview wide enough for providing a state of the art in integration strategies between CBR and MBR technologies.Postprint (published version
A formal framework for the specification of interactive systems
We are primarily concerned with interactive systems whose behaviour is highly reliant on end
user activity. A framework for describing and synthesising such systems is developed. This
consists of a functional description of the capabilities of a system together with a means of
expressing its desired 'usability'. Previous work in this area has concentrated on capturing
'usability properties' in discrete mathematical models.
We propose notations for describing systems in a 'requirements' style and a 'specification'
style. The requirements style is based on a simple temporal logic and the specification style is
based on Lamport's Temporal Logic of Actions (TLA) [74]. System functionality is specified as
a collection of 'reactions', the temporal composition of which define the behaviour of the system.
By observing and analysing interactions it is possible to determine how 'well' a user performs
a given task. We argue that a 'usable' system is one that encourages users to perform their tasks
efficiently (i.e. to consistently perform their tasks well) hence a system in which users perform
their tasks well in a consistent manner is likely to be a usable system.
The use of a given functionality linked with different user interfaces then gives a means
by which interfaces (and other aspects) can be compared and suggests how they might be
harnessed to bias system use so as to encourage the desired user behaviour. Normalising across
different users anq different tasks moves us away from the discrete nature of reactions and
hence to comfortably describe the use of a system we employ probabilistic rather than discrete
mathematics.
We illustrate that framework with worked examples and propose an agenda for further work
The evaluation of dynamic human-computer interaction
This thesis describes the development and evaluation of a theoretical framework to account for the
dynamic aspects of behaviour at the Human-Computer Interface (HCIF). The purpose behind this
work is to allow for the consideration of dynamic Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in the design
of interactive computer systems, and to facilitate the generation of design tools for this purpose.
The work describes an example of a design tool which demonstrates how designers of interactive
computer systems may account for some aspects of the dynamics of behaviour, involved with the
use of computers, in the design of new interactive systems. The thesis offers empirical and literary
evidence to support the validity of the dynamic factors governing the interaction of humans with
computers
Evaluating usability evaluation methods for location-aware interactive systems in contextually rich environments.
PhDIn
this
research
we
investigate
the
evaluation
of
usability
evaluations
methods
(UEMs).
In
particular
we
are
concerned
with
evaluating
their
suitability
for
the
evaluation
of
location-‐
aware
systems.
Not
all
approaches
for
the
evaluation
of
UEMs
have
been
extensively
validated
for
such
types
of
dynamic
interaction,
while
their
application
is
not
clearly
documented.
We
overview
the
strengths
of
the
current
approach
and
suggest
how
to
improve
them.
We
examine
navigation
systems
as
examples
for
issues
with
location-‐aware
systems
in
a
contextually
rich
environment.
The
setting
is
very
different
to
a
traditional
desktop-‐based
application.
Take
the
use
of
the
navigation
device
for
example.
It
is
a
secondary
task;
the
primary
task
is
to
safely
drive
the
car.
The
interface
is
continuously
changing
to
adapt
to
the
current
location
of
the
user.
The
user
navigates
in
a
complex
dynamic
environment
encompassing
various
stimuli
and
unpredictable
external
factors.
We
present
in
the
thesis
a
methodological
and
systematic
way
to
approach
the
evaluation
of
UEMs.
A
comparative
study
of
analytical
and
empirical
techniques
was
carried
out,
to
assess
them
in
identifying
usability
problems
within
both
static
and
dynamic
contexts
of
use.
Four
analytical
methods
(CW,
UAN,
EMU,
and
Design
Guidelines)
and
one
empirical
were
compared.
In
this
thesis,
we
validate
the
existing
classification
scheme
of
Blandford
et
al.
(2008)
and
highlight
relevant
issues.
We
present
an
alternative
systematic
approach
building
on
this
scheme
(CoHUM),
and
its
shortcomings
with
dynamic
systems.
We
show
how
a
rigorous
and
systematic
error
analysis
identifies
phenotypes
as
the
outcome
of
empirical
techniques,
whilst
genotypes
are
the
outcome
of
analytical
techniques.
Finally,
we
present
new
dimensions
that
previous
literature
had
not
identified
for
the
evaluation
of
UEMs.
This
research
will
help
future
researchers
by
providing
them
with
a
stronger
methodological
approach
for
comparing
UEMs
and,
in
particular,
categories
of
UEMs
Applicability of HCI Techniques to Systems Interface Design
PhDThis thesis seeks to identify reasons why HCI techniques are unsuitable for application
in real world design projects. User-oriented systems design and evaluation require
that many considerations such as the psychology of users, the applications and
target tasks be born in mind simultaneously. A selection of influential HCI design
and evaluative techniques from HCI research literature are reviewed and characterised
in terms of their analytic scope.
Two studies of systems designers' approaches to user-oriented design and evaluation
were carried out in order to gain a clearer picture of the design process as it occurs
in applied and commercial projects. It was found that designers frequently lack
adequate information about users, carrying Out, at best, informal user-evaluations of
prototypes. Most notably HCI design and evaluative techniques, of the type common
in the literature, are not being used in applied and commercial design practice.
They seem to be complex, often limited in scope, and possessed of inadequate or
unrepresentative views of the design process within which they might be applied. It
was noted that design practice is highly varied with only a small number of common
goal directed classes of activity being identified. These together with observed
user-oriented information sources and design constraints provide a useful schema
for viewing applied and commercial design practice.
A further study of HCI specialists' practice in commercial environments was undertaken,
in order to identify particular user-oriented design approaches and HCI techniques
suitable for application in practice. The specialists were able to describe
desirable, and undesirable properties of the techniques they used which made it possible
to identify a list of specific desirable features for HCI techniques. A framework
for assessing applicability of HCI techniques was developed from the findings
of the thesis. This is demonstrated using an example project from the design studies
and may prove valuable in supporting design, evaluation, critiquing and selection of
HCI techniques
Use of nonintrusive sensor-based information and communication technology for real-world evidence for clinical trials in dementia
Cognitive function is an important end point of treatments in dementia clinical trials. Measuring cognitive function by standardized tests, however, is biased toward highly constrained environments (such as hospitals) in selected samples. Patient-powered real-world evidence using information and communication technology devices, including environmental and wearable sensors, may help to overcome these limitations. This position paper describes current and novel information and communication technology devices and algorithms to monitor behavior and function in people with prodromal and manifest stages of dementia continuously, and discusses clinical, technological, ethical, regulatory, and user-centered requirements for collecting real-world evidence in future randomized controlled trials. Challenges of data safety, quality, and privacy and regulatory requirements need to be addressed by future smart sensor technologies. When these requirements are satisfied, these technologies will provide access to truly user relevant outcomes and broader cohorts of participants than currently sampled in clinical trials
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